This still frame provided by ESPN from a Nov. 17, 2011 video in Syracuse shows Bobby Davis, 39, during an interview in which he said he was molested by longtime Syracuse University assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine beginning in 1984.AP

SYRACUSE — Two men who accused longtime Syracuse assistant basketball coach Bernie Fine of molesting them when they were children applauded the university’s firing of Fine, the Syracuse Post-Standard reported Monday.

“It means a lot that Bernie will not be in position to use his power to hurt little kids like he hurt me. It’s going to be so much harder for people that have power and try to use that authority to manipulate kids. I hope he now realizes he is not invincible and that he’s not above the law.”

Davis’ stepbrother, Mike Lang, added that 65-year-old Fine “got what he deserved and now hopefully people believe me about him.”

Fine’s dismissal late Sunday came after a third allegation of abuse surfaced, followed by the airing of a phone call allegedly between Davis and Fine’s wife, Laurie, that appears to support Davis’ allegations.

“At the direction of Chancellor [Nancy] Cantor, Bernie Fine’s employment with Syracuse University has been terminated, effective immediately,” the university announced.

Fine was in his 36th season alongside head coach Jim Boeheim, the longest active streak of consecutive seasons at the same school for a Division 1 assistant coach. He was placed on administrative leave nearly two weeks ago when the accusations were aired by ESPN.

Boeheim at first fiercely defended Fine, even suggesting the accusers were motivated by money, but he struck a different tone Sunday following the new revelations about his close friend.

“The allegations that have come forth today [Sunday] are disturbing and deeply troubling. I am personally very shocked because I have never witnessed any of the activities that have been alleged,” Boeheim said.

“I believe the university took the appropriate step tonight,” he continued. “What is most important is that this matter be fully investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so that the truth can be found. I deeply regret any statements I made that might have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of abuse.”

Fine has denied the allegations, but the case took a shocking turn Sunday with ESPN’s airing of a 2002 phone call in which Davis seemed to have a frank conversation with Laurie Fine about his sexual contact with her husband.

“What did he want you to do? You can be honest with me,” Laurie Fine asked Davis during the call. She then asked if Fine wanted Davis to “grab him” or if the two had oral sex.

Davis said Fine touched him but denied any oral sex, adding, “I think he would want to.”

“Oh, of course he would,” Laurie Fine responded. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“I know everything that went on, you know,” Laurie Fine also allegedly said on the call. “I know everything that went on with him … Bernie has issues, maybe that he’s not aware of, but he has issues … And you trusted somebody you shouldn’t have trusted.”

Laurie Fine, who has been married to Bernie Fine for 26 years, also said “the issue at hand is that he had no business doing what he did with you. You know what, and neither did I, because I really helped screw you up a little more, too.”

Davis claimed that comment referred to a sexual relationship he had with Laurie Fine when he was 18 and a senior in high school. Davis said she initiated the relationship and he told Bernie Fine about it, but he did not seem to care.

Davis, 39, told ESPN he had been abused by Fine beginning in 1983 before he entered seventh grade. His stepbrother Mike Lang, 45, also a former ball boy, alleged he also had been abused, “probably 15-20 times.”

Police searched Fine’s house Friday after receiving a third allegation of sexual abuse, according to the Post-Standard.

Zach Tomaselli, 23, of Lewiston, Maine, reportedly told police he was molested at age 13 by Fine in a Pittsburgh hotel room in 2002.